Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer of the United States military, and the principal military advisor to the President of the United States. He leads the meetings and coordinates the efforts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), comprising the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army and United States Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have offices in The Pentagon.

Related Topics:
United States military - President of the United States - Joint Chiefs of Staff - Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - United States Army - United States Air Force - Chief of Naval Operations - Commandant of the United States Marine Corps - The Pentagon

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Although the office of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is very important and highly prestigious, neither the Chairman nor the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a body have any command authority over combatant forces. The chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense directly to the commanders of the several combatant commands. However, the Chairman may transmit communications to the commanders of the combatant commands from the President and Secretary of Defense.

Related Topics:
President - Secretary of Defense - Combatant commands

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Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, USN, served as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy (July 20, 1942-March 21 1949). Leahy's office was the precursor to the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Related Topics:
Fleet Admiral - William D. Leahy - USN - July 20 - 1942 - March 21 - 1949

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Past Chairmen of the JCS have included:

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• Omar N. Bradley, USA (August 16, 1949-August 15 1953)
• Arthur W. Radford, USN (August 15 1953 - August 15 1957)
• Nathan F. Twining, USAF (August 15 1957 - September 30, 1960)
• Lyman L. Lemnitzer, USA (October 1, 1960 - September 30, 1962)
• Maxwell D. Taylor, USA (October 1, 1962 - July 1, 1964)
• Earle G. Wheeler, USA (July 3, 1964 - July 2, 1970)
• Thomas H. Moorer, USN (July 2, 1970 - July 1, 1974)
• George S. Brown, USAF (July 1, 1974 - June 20, 1978)
• David C. Jones, USAF (June 21, 1978 - June 18, 1982)
• John W. Vessey, Jr., USA (June 18, 1982 - September 30, 1985)
• William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (October 1, 1985 - September 30, 1989)
• Colin L. Powell, USA (October 1, 1989 - September 30, 1993)
  David E. Jeremiah, USN (acting) (October 1, 1993 - October 24, 1993)
• John M. Shalikashvili, USA (October 25, 1993 - September 30, 1997)
• Henry H. Shelton, USA (October 1, 1997 - September 30, 2001)
• Richard B. Myers, USAF (October 1, 2001-September 30, 2005)
• Peter Pace, USMC (October 1, 2005-present)